3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

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قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ...

3: 47. She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?"

C389. She was addressed by angels, who gave her Allah's message.

In reply she speaks as to Allah. In reply, apparently an angel gives Allah's message.

...قَالَ كَذَلِكِ اللّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاء...

He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth;

...إِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٤٧﴾

when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it 'Be',

and it is!

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ...

3: 59. This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam:

C398. After a description of the high position which Jesus occupies as a prophet, we have a repudiation of the dogma that he was Allah, or the son of Allah, or anything more than a man.

If it is said that he was born without a human father, Adam was also so born. Indeed Adam was born without either a human father or mother. As far as our physical bodies are concerned they are mere dust.

In Allah's sight Jesus was as dust just as Adam was or humanity is. The greatness of Jesus arose from the divine command "Be": for after that he was-more than dust - a great Prophet and teacher.

...خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثِمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٥٩﴾

He created him from dust, then said to him:

"Be",

and he was.

الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلاَ تَكُن مِّن الْمُمْتَرِينَ ﴿٦٠﴾

3: 60. The truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt.

C399. The truth does not necessarily come from priests, or from the superstitions of whole peoples. It comes from Allah, and where there is a direct revelation, there is no room for doubt.

Other versions:

3: 47

Yusuf Ali She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be' and it is!

Pickthall She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. if He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.

Transliteration Qa_lat anna_ yaku_nu li waladuw wal lam yamsasni basyar(un), qa_la kaza_likilla_hu yakhluqu ma_ yasya_'(u), iza_ qada_ amran fa innama_ yaqu_lu lahu_ kun fayaku_n(u).

3:59

Asad Verily, in the sight of God, the nature of Jesus is as the nature of Adam, who he created out of dust and then said unto him, “Be” – and he is.

Yusuf Ali This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust then said to him: "Be" and he was.

Pickthall Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.

Transliteration Inna masala 'isa_ 'indalla_hi ka masali a_dam(a), khalaqahu_ min tura_bin summa qa_la lahu_ kun fa yaku_n(u).

[ Ruby’s note – It may be of extreme importance how this sentence is structured: God created something, and then He commanded him [the created being] “Be” and he became a human, Adam. The thing God created first then may not be a human being but a being other than a human being. Could it be a lesser thing than a human being? Is there an indication of evolution? ]

3: 60

Yusuf Ali The truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt.

Pickthall (This is) the truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver.

Transliteration Al haqqu mir rabbika fala_ taku_m minal mumtarin(a).